Faith Is Not Mental Assent Part 3

Faith Is Not Mental Assent Part 3

As shared in Part 2, faith and doubt/unbelief can co-exist in the life of a believer for a particular/specific situation. If that happens, it will not produce the result (Matt 17:20; James 1:6-8; Matt 21:21).

On the other hand, believing and doubt/unbelief cannot co-exist. You can only have one or the other (Mark 11:23-24; Mark 5:36; Mark 9:23). If you have doubt/unbelief in a particular situation, you are NOT believing, thus it will not produce the result.

There is a difference between faith and believing. Faith (G4102) is a 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. It is a divine persuasion from God given to us (Rom 12:3) so that we can trust Him. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝. This is why when you get a revelation of Him through His Word, faith is imparted to you (Rom 10:17).

Believing (G4100) is to 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 because of His persuasion (faith). It is to entrust yourself to Him. In other words, it proceeds from faith and it produces an act (Mark 11:24).

Since faith is not the issue (Matt 17:20; Rom 12:3), we need to deal with unbelief/doubt, which is the opposite of believing.

Believing must follow through with an act (words, thoughts, actions). We do not say/think/do anything that is contrary to what we believe even if we have yet to see the manifestation (Mark 11:14-24; Eph 6:13). Unbelief/doubt is the opposite ----> we shrink back and second guess if it is working (through our thoughts, words and actions).

Believing can produce an instant, sudden, or progressive result ---- depending on how renewed our mind is (Rom 12:2). There is no backing off; no stopping; no changing in the course. You act upon your belief and stick to it until it produces result.

There is a place for praying (Mark 9:29) where you want to get to the place of believing, so that you can see the outcome. There is also a place for praying because you are already believing, and you want to see the outcome faster (i.e. Jesus prayed twice for the blind man).

However, praying because you think that it is not working yet is not the place of believing. It is doubting/unbelief. And many of us pray from this place.

We need to learn how to stand believing and keep standing. If you don't believe yet, pray until you believe. If you believe, pray the prayer of faith (James 5:15) and see the result. #divinehealing